"I am 33 years old," Eto'o, who was Chelsea's top-scoring striker last season with 12 goals in all competitions, told africanfootball.com. "It is not because a fool called me an old man that you must believe it - and you may have noticed that the old man was better than the youngsters.

"Some believe I am going to retire in the United States or in the Middle East, but I have regained the joy of the Champions League and I am going to carry on playing in the Champions League.

"Where? I am not going to tell you. But I am going to carry on playing because physically and mentally I feel great. So I am going to go to this World Cup [in Brazil] and to the next one when I will be 37. Some did it at 42, so I can still play in two more World Cups."

Following the incident, Mourinho tried to reassure Eto'o that his comments were made jokingly and in private conversation. The Chelsea manager also tried to shift the blame on television channel Canal+, who reacted angrily and insisted Mourinho was fully aware his remarks would be broadcast.